Hancock is alone in his Earl's Court bed-sit and tries to master a Bertrand Russell book, fails to get the TV to work and almost gets invited to a party.

Hancock plays the part of Old Joshua Merryweather in the radio show The Bowmans (which sounds rather similar to The Archers). But his behaviour and the number of different dialects that he uses causes him to be thrown off the show. However public opinion demands his return - but he in turn demands a few changes.

Hancock has bought himself a radio transmitter/receiver and he is able to converse with remote parts of the world, discussing the weather and playing games of Snakes & Ladders and Chess. But when he receives a 'Mayday' call he has to contend with the landlady's husband and uncooperative electricity meters.

Hancock is the ninth passenger in a lift designed to take eight. When the lift sticks he tries to raise everybody's spirits, but only manages to annoy all of the other occupants.

Hancock decides to give a pint of blood. But he is alarmed when he discovers he has to give very nearly an armful, and he is determined to find out who it goes to.

Hancock decides that it's time to have children to 'carry on the line'. He selects three eligible girls and proposes to them all but is refused. Whilst he is still arguing with the third, the other two return having changed their minds.